Planning and Stakeholder Relations Committee

CDTA COMMITTEE AGENDA Planning and Stakeholder Relations Committee Thursday, July 20, 2017 Start Time - 12:00 PM; Anticipated End Time – 12:45 PM 110 Watervliet Avenue

Committee Item Responsibility Call to Order Dave Stackrow

Ascertain Quorum Dave Stackrow

Agenda Approval Dave Stackrow

Approve Minutes of June 22, 2017 Dave Stackrow

Consent Agenda Items  Washington/Western BRT Resolution for Chris Desany Small Starts Application

Administrative Discussion Items  Customer Research Program Update Jonathan Scherzer

Governance/Policy Issue Discussion Items

Executive Session None

For the Good of the Order Dave Stackrow

Next Meeting Date: September 21, 2017

Adjourn

1 Capital District Transportation Authority Planning and Stakeholder Relations Committee Meeting Minutes – June 22, 2017 at Noon at the 110 Watervliet Avenue Office

In Attendance: Norm Miller (Chair), Dave Stackrow, Corey Bixby, Denise Figueroa, Art Young, Carm Basile (CEO), Mike Collins, (CSL), Chris Desany, Amanda Avery, Sarah Matrose, Fred Gilliam, Lance Zarcone, Phil Parella, Jonathan Scherzer, Kathy Colbert

Meeting Purpose This was the regular monthly meeting of the Planning Committee.

Consent Agenda Items Bank Financing Opportunities - Mike Collins Mike Collins informed the Committee of a cash flow need to pay for capital items, such as buses.

Our capital plan includes $15 million from New York State for buses, but because of funding delays, we do not have the financial capacity to pay vendors.

RFP’s were sent to the three banks we do business with. Key Bank was the only bank to respond with a Line of Credit option for $10 million.

The Line of Credit provides competitive rates and flexibility to borrow money now, and in the future, based on upcoming bus procurements.

The Committee recommends the Line of Credit option, which was summarized in Mike Collins’ bus financing memo.

Administrative Discussion Items Bike Share Update - Jonathan Scherzer Jonathan Scherzer provided an update on Bike Share. Major elements are underway, including installations at 40 station locations that have been announced.

Bikes have been delivered, and the website and pricing information will roll out next week. The Mobile App is in final development and should be ready by mid-July.

Infrastructure elements have been ordered for July deployment, and stations will be equipped with the Navigator technology. The stations will provide 277 docking points for bikes.

Public outreach includes a grassroots campaign; traditional advertising; social media and our partnership with CDPHP that will enhance coverage.

As we “Pedal Forward”, we anticipate a launch date in August.

For the Good of the Order None

2 Action Items None

Adjournment and Next Meeting The next meeting of the Committee will be at noon on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 110 Watervliet Avenue.

Respectfully submitted by Michael P. Collins:

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3 To: Chairman, Planning and Stakeholder Relations Committee Members, Planning and Stakeholder Relations Committee From: Christopher Desany, Vice President of Planning and Infrastructure Re: Support and Authorization to Submit Rating Package for Washington/Western BRT Date: July 20, 2017

Overview Outlined in our 2013 Transportation Development Plan, CDTA envisions the implementation of 40- miles of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the Capital Region. This is made up of three corridors which currently generate over 9.5 million riders annually, or 60% of the entire system. The 40-mile vision will provide enhanced transit service to most areas in the region with high-transit demand.

A component of this plan includes the Washington/Western BRT, which calls for service to operate between Downtown Albany and Crossgates Mall along Washington and Western Avenues in the city of Albany and town of Guilderland. The route is approximately 8 miles in length, includes 16 stations and would operate seven days a week for 22 hours a day. Notable transportation system improvements include a transit center at Crossgates Mall (which is currently CDTA’s second busiest stop), a section of exclusive busway between the Harriman State Office Campus and the University at Albany uptown campus, queue jump lanes, and transit signal priority.

Background The Washington/Western Bus Rapid Transit Conceptual Design Study was completed in 2011 and concluded that bus rapid transit would be a cost-effective investment in the ridership generators along the corridor. A Simplified Alternatives Analysis was completed and adopted by the Board in 2013 which developed the preferred routing, station locations, and service plan. In 2014 the Capital District Transportation Committee (the Metropolitan Planning Organization for New York’s Capital Region) Policy Board endorsed the Locally Preferred Alternative and the project was subsequently accepted by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) into project development.

BRT project development continues to progress as we advance the work through FTA’s Small Starts program. Small Starts is specifically designed for BRTs. The next step in the process is to complete the project rating application, and it is due to the FTA in September. This application consists of detailed project information, a project justification, and a simplified financial plan.

A resolution by the Board of Directors stating its support for the project is also required for the package. A financial commitment is not required until after the project is rated by the FTA.

Committee Action I am recommending that the Board adopt a resolution that supports the progression of the Washington/Western Bus Rapid Transit project through the Federal Transit Administration’s Small Starts program. I am also recommending that this resolution directs the CEO and staff to prepare and submit a Project Rating Package for the Washington/Western Bus Rapid Transit project to the FTA Small Starts program for September 2017.